Update for May 1  7, 2006

Very Merry, Not So Scary tickets on sale now

Tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween
Party are on sale now, and apparently went on sale last Friday. Details on
the party dates and available discounts were listed last
week. The answer to the one item in question, whether or not December
22 would have a Christmas Party, is that the party will be held that night.
So the official list of party dates is:

The official park scheduler for Septembe 15 and 22 still has the park closing
at 9 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively, which would seem to indicate that the Halloween
Party would run until 3 a.m. and 2 a.m. on those nights. I'm still expecting
those official hours to change.

Interestingly, the Halloween Party will take place every Friday night from
the middle of September through Halloween night, with one exception. There will
be no Halloween Party in October on Friday the 13th. Seems like they might be
missing an opportunity, unless they have some reason to avoid holding an event
on Friday the 13th.

Reminder: the big Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party meets during MouseFest
will most likely be on Thursday, December 7. Please plan accordingly.

A topiary of Donald and Daisy Duck in the Tunnel of Love welcomes guests to
the 2006 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Disney announces "Magical Beginnings" program

Last Monday, Disney unveiled its latest plan to get families with young children
to visit the resort. The new "Magical Beginnings" program (link)
combines the current "Stay, Play and Dine" discount with a bunch of downloadable
tips for traveling to Disney with small children and some Disney marketing spin.
A similar program was unveiled for Disneyland.

The Magical Beginnings (and Stay, Play and Dine) packages provide free dining
to Disney guests on a resort package that arrive between August 13 and September
30, for packages booked by June 4.

The additional features include advice commonly found on web sites throughout
the Internet, such as "don't over schedule," "take a break in the middle of
the day" and "there are baby changing stations in all bathrooms." Also available
are downloadable lists of minimum heights for attractions and things to remember
to pack.

The marketing spin includes describing Extra Magic Hours as "On select days
during the Little Ones Travel Time, Magic Kingdom
will be open one-hour early for Disney Resort Guests to enjoy select Fantasyland
Attractions like Dumbo and Peter
Pan" rather than indicating that the hours are for everyone, and all types
of rides will be available for riding in different parks each day, sometimes
in the evening as well as the morning.

The "Little Ones Travel Time" is another bit of marketing spin, noting that
late August through September is a better time for families with small children
to travel, as there would be no concerns about children missing school at that
age. Disney is adding special entertainment during those weeks, such as in-park
concerts at the Disney-MGM Studios by Disney Channel favorites such as The Wiggles,
The Doodlebops and Johnny and the Sprites, as well as extra character appearances
in Fantasyland during morning Extra Magic Hours. The special entertainment is
open to all park guests, regardless of whether or not they booked Magical Beginnings
vacations. (Extra Magic Hours are limited to those staying at Disney hotels,
as is always the case.)

The island across from the Italy pavilion is getting some refurbishment. Photo
by Brian Warneke.

Repainting is underway on the island's bridge. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Playhouse Disney character meal to debut on June 25; reservations now available

As I reported on April 3 (link),
the planned Breakfast and Beyond character meal at the Disney-MGM
Studios has been scrapped before it opened and replaced with a new meal
featuring Playhouse Disney characters, which will officially debut on June 25.
Reservations are now available for both breakfast and lunch, which will take
place at the Hollywood and Vine restaurant.
Dinner will continue to be the same popular character-free buffet.

Auditions are being held tomorrow for "male and female Musical Theatre Performers
to portray Playhouse Pals" at the meal. According to the audition notice, it
appears that the meal is going to feature interactive Playhouse Disney moments,
characters and songs. I'm hearing that Jojo and Goliath and the Little Einsteins
will be among the characters making appearances.

Work continues on the Viking ship adjacent to the Norway pavilion. Photo by
Brian Warneke.

Not much is going on inside the construction wall at the moment, though. Photo
by Brian Warneke.

Captain Jack Sparrow to appear outside, as well as inside, Pirates attraction

When Pirates of the Caribbean reopens at
the beginning of July, featuring Captains Jack Sparrow and Barbossa, as well
as Davy Jones, the experience will begin before you enter the attraction's queue.
Auditions are being held today for walk-around characters of Sparrow and "his
faithful crew member, Mack, who manages to humorously epitomize the 'wrong way'
of every 'how-to' moment."

The atmosphere characters will (on a temporary basis) will provide interactive
lessons in how to be a pirate, including such important skills as "Swashbuckling
for Beginners" and "Run Away - FAST!"

The beautiful parterre plantings have returned for this year's Flower &
Garden Festival. Photo by Brian Warneke.

A big personal "thank you"

I'd like to thank all of the members of the MousePlanet community who gave
so generously to my WalkAmerica campaign for the March of Dimes. I was able
to reach my goal of raising
$2,500 for this worthy cause, with MousePlanet readers being responsible
for about 30 percent of that total. As I mentioned before, the cause is very
personal to me, because it was therapies funded and developed by the March of
Dimes that enabled my son to survive after he was born twelve weeks prematurely.
Hundreds of us walked the three miles at our walk site yesterday, raising quite
a good bit of money. (And for those that asked, below is a photo of me before
the walk. As we were among the fastest walkers, we didn't stop to take an "action"
photo. We were among the first ten finishers.)

Thanks also to those who gave to the Avon Foundation Walk for Breast Cancer
campaign of Deb Wills (of AllEarsNet.com). At press time, she had raised $24,206
(link)!
Lou Mongello (of DisneyWorldTrivia.com) is continuing to raise money for the
Starlight Starbright Foundation (link).
Next spring, I'll start campaigning for these causes all over again, as well
as Jim Hill (of JimHillMedia), who walks annually in support of the Janet McDonald
Memorial Walk Against Cancer (link).

Thanks again for your support!

Universal hikes minimum pay; Disney starting wage now lowest

Last week, Universal Orlando announced a wage hike, effective next Sunday,
that will make the minimum wage at the resort $7.25 per hour, up from $6.75.
In addition, new employees will no longer have to wait three months to become
eligible for life, dental and health insurance and a 401(k) retirement plan.
SeaWorld Orlando has a starting wage of $7.00 per hour, with an immediate start
to benefits. Disney's lowest-paid employees start at $6.90 per hour.

This may put Disney at a disadvantage as the three resorts enter the big summer
hiring season. In addition, Universal is offering an additional 25 cents per
hour for those with two years of experience in the tourism or hospitality trade.

Will this lead to a staffing crunch at Disney? Will the gap be filled with
additional College Program and International Program students? What will this
mean for the overall level of service at Walt Disney World? I don't know. If
you notice problems with sufficient levels of staffing or quality of staffing,
let me know, and I'll keep track of it and note how things are going. Conversely,
if you tink that the levels of service and staffing are continuing unaffected
or even improving, let me know that, too.

This topiary of Cinderella and her prince rotates on a turntable. Photo by
Brian Warneke.

Will there be a Zamboni?

The Southwest feel of the Coronado Springs Resort
will take on a icy feel Friday for "An Evening with Scott Hamilton," a tribute
to the popular 1984 Olympic men's gold medal-winning figure skater, with the
gala to benefit the World Figure Skating Museum.

At $125 for a Supporter-level ticket and $250 for a Patron-level admission,
the benefit will start with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. Festivities will
include a film tribute to Hamilton's career, a celebrity roast of Hamilton by
his closest skating friends (emceed by Peter Carruthers, 1984 Olympic pairs
silver medalist) and an auction of unique skating-related pieces and other items.
The items to be auctioned off first collected bids online (link),
and bidding will continue at the gala.

For tickets, call 719-488-5654, or get more details at the World Skating Museum
web site (link).

Is it Monopoly for Disney?

Will it be Times Square, Fenway Park, the White House or Walt Disney World?
The Disney resort is a leading candidate for inclusion in the new Monopoly:
The Here & Now Edition, to hit stores this summer. Three landmarks in each of
22 American cities are part of the voting. The city with the most votes gets
to have their top-vote-getting landmark replace Boardwalk as the most coveted
spot on the game board. At press time, Orlando (where the resort had 90 percent
of the vote) was in ninth place, just behind Los Angeles and New Orleans. To
vote for your favorite, go to the Monopoly: Here and Now Edition web site (link).
Voting closes May 12.

A Stitch topiary waves goodbye to visitors.. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Quick takes

Last week, Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com reported (link)
that DisneyQuest at the Downtown Disney West
Side would be closing in early 2008 to make way for a new ESPN Zone facility.
The Orlando Sentinel's blog ran a story (link)
noting that Disney had denied that contention. I'll keep an eye on this story
and let you know if I hear anything.

The 2005 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade broadcast has received
the Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Special Class Special." It's the first
time that the parade broadcast has won the Emmy.

Universal Orlando is trying out a new promotion to compete with Disney's
Magical Express. Instead of providing free bus transportation to the resort,
Universal is including a free Dollar rental car in certain packages.

Trivia question of the week

What was the first Disney attraction to debut at Walt Disney World and later
be copied at Disneyland Park?

(Answer will be posted next week.)

Answer to last week's question: The "Broadway at the Top" show was performed
nightly at the Top of the World restaurant, which occupied the top floor of
the Contemporary Resort before the California
Grill.

Finding Nemo  The Musical  will open in the Theater
in the Wild late this year.

Resorts

Polynesian Resort  Work is now
underway on the complete refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways
in all buildings, which is expected to be completed this summer.

Contemporary Resort  Work is now
underway on the complete refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways
in the tower building and both garden wings, and is now expected to be completed
this summer.

Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa 
Phase I's four buildings and Phase II's eight units are complete, Construction
on Phase III is underway, with the six units expected to be completed in 2007.

January 2007

Free dining plan back, for a limited time

Perhaps the best-received package in recent Disney history, the "Stay, Play
and Dine" free dining plan is back. Packages purchased by June 4 for stays from
August 13  September 30 will receive the Disney Dining Plan for free.
Essentially, it's the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package for the price of a
standard Magic Your Way package. That's a savings of $37.99 per night per adult
(ages 10 and up) and $10.99 per night for children (ages 3-9). Add it up and
a family of four with kids ages 3-9 will save $97.96 per night, and a family
of four with kids over age 9 will save a whopping $151.96 per night.

Disney Visa cardholders can use request code YWL when booking, while the general
public should use code YWX.

Passholder discounts now available through June 3

Passholders discounts are now available on the passholder web site for vacations
from April 23 through June 3. When calling by phone, use booking code EZN or
EZO. Florida resident discounts for the same dates are available on the resident
web site, using booking code BOR. Passholder rates start at $74 per night for
value resorts, resident rates start at $79 per night for the values.

New Radisson offer

The Radisson Resort Orlando - Celebration, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced
reduced rates for MousePlanet readers from now through July 8, plus a special
15 percent discount through September 30.

Rates start at $85 per night from now through June 1, and at $95 per night
from June 2 through July 8. In addition, all rooms booked by May 15 for travel
dates through the September 30 will receive a 15 percent discount beyond the
low rates already published here.

Click here for more information, or here to make reservations now. These special rates and discounts
are for MousePlanet readers, so remember to book through our links here.

Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration releases rates through the end of
2006

The Radisson Resort Parkway is now the Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration!
The resort, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their standard rates through
the end of 2006. Note that the nightly rates do not include a $7 per night
resort fee.

Magic Your Way ticket price guide

Walt Disney World's entire ticket price structure changed
as of January 2, 2005, to the new Magic Your Way passes, and prices
increased on January 1, 2006.. Advance purchase discounts are only available
on tickets above the base ticket of at least 4 days, with higher discounts
on those tickets with both options.

Mark (@MPMark) is a veteran of dozens of trips to Walt Disney World starting in 1972, with a few Disneyland trips thrown in for good measure. As a Disney stockholder and a Disney Vacation Club member, Mark is always in touch with what's going on with The Mouse. Mark serves as MousePlanet's Walt Disney World content coordinator. Mark is a senior information technology manager working for the State of New York. He lives in the suburbs outside Albany, New York, with his wife and son.

MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.